Shylock, Part II
Pinsker, Sanford
SHYLOCK, PART II "Two things provided more, that, for his'favor. He presently become a Christian; The other, that he do record a gift. Here in the court, of all he dies possess'd, Unto his son...
...The lights flicker on and off like old reminders...
...He accepts His punishment, but not their miracles and hard grace...
...His daughter takes French lessons And hops about the living room on one toe...
...They feed on greeny thoughts in their pale green shade...
...Learns to extend his littlest finger up and out...
...The Merchant of Venice (Act IV: Scene I) Shylock, bending over his catechism, finds Christianity hard to master...
...Gefilte fish...
...Here in the court, of all he dies possess'd, Unto his son Lorenzo and his daughter...
...And in the deadtime of winter cuts A green spruce for his daughter to decorate...
...He still wants a meal of flesh...
...Crumpets, not egg cookies, become his daily lot...
...I can forgive, but I can't forget...
...His latest hook...
...Nonetheless, the Venetians no longer spit on his Jewish gabardine And so Shylock, for the moment, is content...
...Between Two Worlds — The Amcricun Novel in the 1960s, was published by Whitson Publishing Co., and a volume of essays on Philip Roth is forthcoming...
...Even the angel hanging lopsided from the highest branch Is almost impressed...
...Go know," Shylock mutters despite himself...
...Shylock pours another egg nog, Whispering "L'C//o/m" before he belts it down...
...Drinks his tea from china cups...
...From this can come reconciliation...
...He practices mouthing "tally-ho" into the mirror...
...Sanford Pinsker is cm associate professor of English at Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Pa...
...He relents...
...Borsht...
...Shylock booms out his best "O Tannenbaum" For the multitudes caroling past...
...SHYLOCK, PART II "Two things provided more, that, for his'favor...
...Still, he tries...
...They can forget, But not forgive...
Vol. 5 • May 1980 • No. 5
